Go to main content
 
Man sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine order
*******************************************************
     A 37-year-old man was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for five weeks by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (May 7) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) (the Regulation) and "Assaulting police officers in the due execution of their duty" under the Offences against the Person Ordinance (Section 36(b) of Cap. 212).

     The man was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 21 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on March 20, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. The man was then conveyed to the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre (QC) on the same date for serving the remaining quarantine period. However, the man escaped from and attempted to escape from the QC on March 24 and 27 respectively. The man also assaulted a police officer when being intercepted at the QC on March 27, 2021. He was charged with three counts of contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and one count of "Assaulting police officers in the due execution of their duty" under Cap. 212. He was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for a total of five weeks

     Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 134 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.
 
Ends/Friday, May 7, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:52
NNNN
Today's Press Releases